Honda CBR500R: Excitement in a smaller package

With a 471cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin DOHC engine, the 2013 Honda CBR500R has both low-end torque and top-end performance.

Photographed by:Alexandra Straub

Ingersoll, Ont.: An appropriate song starts playing through the speakers mounted inside my helmet. It’s performed by the late Nina Simone.

“Birds flyin’ high, you know how I feel

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel …

And I’m feelin’ good”

By this point in the day, I’m feelin’ a little tired, but I’m still feelin’ good, as the song denotes. In fact, I’d say I’m feelin’ great.

And I have absolutely no clue where I am. Then again, that’s part of the adventure. Summer-like temperatures, a sunny blue sky, fowls in the air and a fabulous motorcycle underneath me all contribute to the day’s favourable ambience.

The back roads of southern Ontario have taken three other motorcycle journalists and I, to a service station in Somewheresville, ON. We ask for directions or a suggestion for a fun place to journey to on our noble steeds.

We’re told to turn right out of the station and follow the signs. What we’ll find at the end is something worth seeing.

It’s mid-afternoon and the all-new 2013 Honda CBR500R and I have become well acquainted. We’ve spent a few hundred kilometres together and we mesh swimmingly. Granted, the other bikes along for the ride — which are also new models — the CB1100, CB500F and Gold Wing F6B might have been more comfortable or more appropriate long-distance companions, yet the CBR500R is proving that one can be on a sport bike and enjoy a long cruise without aching wrists.

For those not yet familiar with this new breed of bike, here’s the 411.

The CBR500R and its siblings the CB500F and the CB500X were developed together using the same 471cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin DOHC engine but each have their own flavour when it comes to looks and seating position.

Being the sporty one of the bunch, the 500R’s exterior looks, aka its fairings, were inspired from its bigger brother, the CBR1000RR. It also comes with 17-inch wheels and a stylish Y-shaped spoke design for added curb appeal.

To give it that peppy personality, despite its more humble displacement, there’s a nice combination of low-end torque and top-end performance.

After all, it shares the same bore with the CBR600RR at 67mm. Translation: usable power without falling asleep behind the handlebars.

Another added benefit is the ability to rev the engine to 8,500 rpm before it redlines, so you can shift through the six-speed transmission at higher rpms, if you want to ride it with a little more zeal.

Keep the rpms low and you have a well-behaved city slicker that doesn’t step out of line easily.

And a cool looking one at that.

Its light (194 kg/428 lbs.), compact body allows smaller individuals to take the next step from a smaller cubic centimetre engine without feeling too overwhelmed. Or in some cases, not overwhelmed at all. And the 785mm (30.9-inches) seat height helps alleviate the transitioning-from-a-smaller-motorcycle-to-a-bigger-one anxiety.

For those who are thinking that the CBR500R might not offer enough excitement, that’s not the case.

Then again, it depends on what you’re looking for. It is entirely possible to have a hoot on this two-wheeled machine. Ride for hours on end (like I did) or romp around the city or take it on a track, this bike has a lot of ‘usable’ power. What I mean by that is that you can go full throttle (in an appropriate environment) and not lose your lunch or mumble expletives in the process. And to bring you back to reality, or to slow you down, there’s a great set of 320mm front and 270mm rear wave style disc brakes, with the option to equip it with an ABS system.

Over the horizon, we see the sign for Turkey Point. We’re almost there. It’ll be just a short jaunt before the waters of Lake Erie are a few steps from the pavement.

Besides, a quick break to stretch the body won’t hurt. We’re still over a hundred kilometres from home base so stopping, taking a deep breath and soaking in the day’s journey as the sun cools down is a good idea.

The best part? I’m still feelin’ good and the 2013 Honda CBR500R is in the same state of being as well.